Do travel agents NOT like Disney cruises?

[ldb1030]

I'm a TA and I LOVE DCL! I consider myself Disney spoiled. I know I should branch out and try other lines but Disney seems to be the best fit for myself and my family.

That's scary!! I could have written that myself!!
People ask us all the time why we don't try another line..........hmmmmmmm there are sooooooooooo many reasons we love DCL! Why not do what we enjoy right!??

 

[downby3]

So, can everyone honestly say that you get what you pay for when it comes to cruises?

 

[mickeyfan1]

So, can everyone honestly say that you get what you pay for when it comes to cruises?

Sure, I paid over 3K for my 7 night cruise last month and I am paying less than 500 for my 7 night cruise in September. Different ships, different ports, always worth it just to cruise.

 

[allears]

So, can everyone honestly say that you get what you pay for when it comes to cruises?

There will be lots of IMHOs on this. I believe it's very subjective. We have chosen thus far to cruise only Disney and we believe we get value for our money, otherwise we would come back. For us, when we compare the price of a Disney World or DisneyLand vacation package to the cruise it comes out pretty darn even. But again, this is our choice, we choose to spend the money on a DCL trip rather than another line, one because we're huge Disney fans, and two, we feel we will get what we're paying for and our expectations of the trip will be met or exceeded. We haven't been let down yet.

 

[keishashadow]

Local TA is the largest in our suburban area NE of Pittsburgh. Thought I'd give them a a shot @ DCL 4 night I just booked.

Shocked to hear they've never booked one?!? The manager was very negative as to cost, itinerary & lack of amentities (casino). I politely explained that I would be a returning cruiser & thought it was a magical experience, well worth the cost.

On to local AAA office, she never booked one either. Didn't know when they were offering AAA month for disney special credits, etc.

It's my understanding that certain cruise lines offer incentives to TA (ala a free cruise) if they book so many trips each month .

If I were a 1st time cruiser, who wasn't particularly interested in researching the trip online, I'd probably go with whoever the TA recommended.

 

[pixiemomma]

I booked through a travel agent. She was very enthusiastic. helpful and did not try and dissuade us.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

When DW went to the local TA she was told that while if you go on DCL it would ruin you for other cruises, the woman really pushed a RCCL saying you could get a nicer room with the money you save
I then found a TA over an internet site, and again was told how great DCL is but RCCl and Carnival are much cheaper.
On one hand they sell me on how great DCL is but then say settle for something less. Now my DF is complete Disney nuts so there has never been any question on which one we are going on, but I thought it was kinda funny how the TA's acted

 

[MickeyD]

My TA has probably sailed on DCL more than me and loves DCL!...that's why I stick with Dreams to book my cruises. We've tried other cruiselines and always come back to Disney. Even my in laws said they wish they would have sailed Disney this past Feb instead of Princess as it sounded "like we had more fun."

Lisa

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

To answer the question, yes....TA's do like DCL.

My TA is very objective when giving advice, she never pushes one way or the other. She just tells the plusses and negatives and lets us make the choice.

I think its wrong for the TA to dissuade you from DCL.

 

[Float My Boat]

We booked our first DCL through a TA. We were at a fair/expo and the travel agency had a booth where they were specifically advertising/pushing Disney cruises. We picked up info, called shortly after, and booked.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I'll bet he wears a Timex.

Woody

Now, you know, there's nothing WRONG with a Timex....especially if you have one to match every outfit!

 

[kcashner]

I guess another fair question is WHY DCL is more expensive. Several reasons come to mind. First, there is no casino--other cruise lines figure on a certain amount per adult being dropped in their casino. Secondly, while alcohol is readily available, it isn't pushed on you. It is offered--if you decline, the servers will note that and probably not ask again (in the clubs, etc.) Thirdly, there is no smoking in the dining rooms--again, no smoking equates to less time hanging out after dinner and potentially ordering alcohol. Finally, the cabins on DCL are MUCH bigger than a similar category on the other lines I've experienced.

So, yes...I can book a 7 day cruise on another line for less money than I can book the Magic. However, in my experience the cruises aren't equal.

 

[lbgraves]

Thirdly, there is no smoking in the dining rooms--again, no smoking equates to less time hanging out after dinner and potentially ordering alcohol. Finally, the cabins on DCL are MUCH bigger than a similar category on the other lines I've experienced.

There is also no smoking in the staterooms or the primary nightclub/bar for the main entertainment events for the evening so we have the option of enjoying those shows. That was out of the question before this change.

 

[Nysie]

I agree with kcashner!

 

[Babs417]

When I cruised last May I knew more about the cruise then my TA. All of it from the DISboards. So I would like to thank DIS, THANK YOU!

 

[ivanova]

... With Disney, you are paying for the kids clubs, whether you use them or not. You are paying for the Characters, whether you see them or not. You are paying for the Disney name and you should expect to get Disney service.

In one sense this is correct.

DCL is more expensive because the big revenue makers for most cruise lines are alcohol sales and casino revenue. DCL has lower alcohol sales and NO casino revenue. Thus they have to make it up elsewhere....charging more upfront for reservations.

 

[poohfriend]

I think you should consider a new TA. Not because your TA doesn't seem to like Disney, but because his response indicates he thinks you should spend your money the way HE wants you to.

I think a TA should be committed to finding out what you want, and helping you get the most out of it.

On the other hand, your TA did bring your cruise documents to you...that's a nicer touch that mailing them.

Most of us that frequent these boards know more than most TAs about disney. There are so many destinations in the world, we can't expect each TA to know about all of them.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lookingforward]

I was trying to book a cruise once (on another line) and the travel agent sniffed his nose like something smelled bad and said "We don't DO Carnival cruises here". I wasn't even trying to book a carnival cruise, but some travel agents have preconcieved notions of cruise lines and "guide" their clients to other deals.

I have sailed on Disney, RCCL, Celebrity, Crystal, Costa and Norweigan. Disney does compare to RCCL and Celebrity as far as service. There are great things about each line so I don't mind trying new things. Celebrity is my favorite, excellent food, refined service and awesome suites (with hot tubs on the balcony and butlers). We loved the different restaurant concept on DCL but my kids loved RCCL's clubs better and my teen boys find RCCL's rock climbing, ice skating, rollerblading, miniature golf (and now a surfing pool) much more fun. DCL has great cabins too.

Prices are much higher on DCL, especially in the summer. It is a consideration for us because we know first hand what else is out there and can then do a plus and minus list to decide which way to go.

Either way, a day on the sea is magical!

 

[robertgp124]

I think if you're going to use a TA for anything Disney, you want to get a TA that's knowledgable about the product. Good rule of thumb when purchasing anything, but even more so with Disney. We used a Disney specialist over the internet, and found her worth her weight in gold. I've used our local AAA for other things and in this case, they couldn't compete. No sweat, we'll use them for other things.

 

[kimerinc]

We have used the same "cruise travel agent" for 10 years. She only does cruises. She knows a tremendous amount about all cruises except Disney. She has been on every cruise line on the planet and every cruise ship, except Disney. When we told her we wanted to try Disney, she was fine with it, she made more money, but she knew very little about it. I am wondering if Disney does not give the TA Perks like short cruises on thier ships for free etc... like the others do.